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NC State lands 3-star DL Carmelo McKenzie during first official visit weekend

image_6483441 (3)by: Noah Fleischman06/01/25fleischman_noah
Carmelo McKenzie
(Photo credit: Carmelo McKenzie's Twitter/X)

It didn’t take long for NC State to land its first commitment of the official visit season. Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy three-star defensive lineman Carmelo McKenzie pledged to the Wolfpack during his trip to Raleigh and made it official on Sunday afternoon. 

McKenzie, the No. 109 defensive lineman in the 2026 cycle, committed to NC State over Boston College, Delaware and Kansas State, which he had official visits scheduled with later this summer. In addition to those three schools, McKenzie also held offers from Auburn, Penn State and Syracuse, among others.

NC State entered McKenzie’s recruitment last October and maintained its interest in the defensive lineman ever since. He was able to make a trip to Raleigh for a spring practice visit earlier this year, which led to McKenzie locking in this weekend’s official visit. 

The 6-foot-2, 290-pound prospect built a bond with Wolfpack co-defensive line coach Elisha Shaw, which seemed to be critical in his recruitment. He wasn’t in a hurry to make a decision, but the Pack was able to garner his commitment before he left the program’s campus.

Originally from York, Pa., McKenzie posted 37 tackles, including 11 for a loss, with 8.5 sacks as a junior at IMG Academy. He was a standout as a freshman at York (Pa.) High with 21 tackles and 3.5 sacks before he transferred to the Florida-based powerhouse.

McKenzie is NC State’s fifth pledge of the 2026 cycle. He joins Paramus (N.J.) Catholic three-star linebacker Jordan Moreta, Richmond (Va.) Trinity Episcopal three-star tackle Brady Sakowitz, Baltimore (Md.) Milford Mill Academy three-star safety Koby Sarkodie and Pfafftown (N.C.) Reagan three-star quarterback Jacob Smith. 

This story will be updated.

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